Texans praise QB C.J. Stroud's offseason, but is an extension in the works?

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Danielle Hunter.

Will Anderson Jr.

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Azeez Al-Shaair.

Is Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud next to be paid by the franchise this offseason?

With a 12-win season in the rear-view mirror, sights turn to Stroud and the 2026 season. Houston, which made moves to better the offense and upgrade the defensive depth, is set on competing for not just a division title, but also a berth to its first-ever Super Bowl appearance.

Much of the franchise's postseason success hinges on the play of Stroud, who struggled to regain his Offensive Rookie of the Year magic last January in two playoff games. Sure, the Texans won against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round, but Stroud's four interceptions were the main culprit in the divisional round loss to the New England Patriots.

This offseason, Stroud has put in the work to be the best version of himself for the franchise. He's lost weight, added muscle and changed his appearance to embrace a new feel for an important campaign ahead.

So far, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has been impressed with what he's seen.

"C.J.'s done a really good job all offseason just continuing to be locked in, continuing to prepare the right way,” Ryans told reporters ahead of the team's Charity Golf Classic on Monday at River Oaks Country Club. “He’s been dialed in to our strength sessions, our coaching sessions and our meetings. He’s been dialed in and very into it. That’s all you can ask for from all our guys at this time."

While still viewed as a foundational piece of the franchise, Stroud remains one of the last players to receive an extension. In the past two years, Houston gave out new deals to Pro Bowl wideout Nico Collins and All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. This past offseason, the Texans inked new deals with Anderson, Hunter and Al-Shaair, who all will be locked up through at least 2027.

Last month, the Texans picked up Stroud’s fifth-year option, meaning he'll make $25.9 million in 2027 before potentially free agency. Houston picked up Anderson's fifth-year option, but then made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history after earning his first All-Pro nod as the anchor of Houston's defensive line.

That doesn't mean Houston plans on not remaining stedfast on securing a deal with Stroud in the future.

"We're fully committed to C.J.," CEO Cal McNair told reporters. "We exercised his fifth-year option so we'll see how it all works out."

Throughout the offseason, the Texans have stood by Stroud, stating he's their quarterback of the future. Does that include a new contract in the works?

For now, no, but Ryans doesn't see that derailing the season or putting pressure on the quarterback to overperform early in the season.

"I always tell guys, they take care of themselves, so there’s never a need to panic or do anything different, you just keep improving as a player,” Ryans said. “You keep working on your craft, you keep doing all those things behind the scenes that you know improve your game, the contracts and those things will take care of themselves.”

Last season, Stroud threw for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Rookie minincamp for the Texans begins on Friday.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans praise QB C.J. Stroud's offseason, but is an extension in the works?

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